Fencing system and method

ABSTRACT

A fencing system and method comprises a plurality of posts, each post comprising a pair of sockets. A screen extends between adjacent posts and the screen comprises intruder resistant mesh clamped to a frame comprising elongate frame members. One of the elongate frame members is received by one of the pair of sockets of one of the posts and an opposing elongate frame member of the screen is received by one of the pair of sockets of an adjacent post.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fencing system and method. Inparticular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to afencing system and method for pool fences, although the presentinvention is not limited to this application and other applications,such as balconies, verandas, staircases and the like are envisaged.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Conventional fences, fencing systems and balustrade systems are used ina wide range of applications and exhibit a range of constructiontechniques and fastening mechanisms. Such systems typically comprise aplurality of spaced apart posts and, in one form, a plurality of panels,each panel attached between a pair of adjacent posts. In onealternative, instead of panels, an upper and lower rail extends betweenadjacent posts with a plurality of spaced apart balusters extendingvertically between the upper and lower rails.

One known system comprises a plurality of posts, which are eithercircular or substantially square in cross section, and a plurality ofpanels, such as glass panels. Each panel comprises upper and lowerrails, which are used to attach the panels to the posts. Such a fencingsystem is commonly employed on balconies, verandas, staircases andaround swimming pools. One disadvantage with this and other systems isthe high degree of accuracy that is required. For example, the postsneed to be positioned accurately to ensure that they are exactlyvertical. The panels also need to be put together accurately to ensurethey are square and of exactly the correct size to fit in the inter-postspace. A small degree of error with the positioning of the posts and/orthe production of the panels can result in difficulty in affixing thepanels and/or gaps occurring between the panels and the posts. Theunsightly gaps then need to be hidden using trims or the like. Therequirement for a high degree of accuracy contributes to theinstallation time, the cost and can impair the aesthetic appearance ofthe finished fence.

In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising” or similarterms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that amethod, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does notinclude those elements solely, but may well include other elements notlisted.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a fencing systemthat addresses or at least ameliorates the aforementioned accuracyproblems of the prior art fencing systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadestform, the invention resides in a fencing system comprising:

a plurality of posts, each said post comprising a pair of sockets; and

a screen extending between adjacent posts, said screen comprisingintruder resistant mesh clamped to a frame comprising elongate framemembers;

wherein one of the elongate frame members is received by one of the pairof sockets of one of said posts and an opposing elongate frame member isreceived by one of the pair of sockets of an adjacent post.

Preferably, each elongate frame member comprises an integral clampingportion co-acting with a non-integral clamping member to clamp theintruder resistant mesh to the frame.

Preferably, each elongate frame member comprises an integral tongueterminating in a hook to seat a slot in the non-integral clamping memberand positively locate the non-integral clamping member with respect tothe frame.

Suitably, one or more of the following have a serrated surface: theintegral clamping portion; the non-integral clamping member.

Preferably, each elongate frame member comprises a pair of walls, therelative size of the walls and the sockets being such that a range ofpositions are available to fasten the elongate frame members to theposts.

Suitably, the walls are ribbed.

Suitably, one of the elongate frame members of the screen forms ahandrail.

The pair of sockets of at least one of the posts may oppose each othersuch that the post is substantially I-shaped or H-shaped incross-section. Alternatively, to form a corner post, the pair of socketsof at least one of the posts are substantially at 90 degrees to eachother.

Suitably, each post further comprises at least one cover to obscurefastening means of the fencing system from view.

Suitably, the fencing system further comprises a base member having apair of spaced apart walls extending substantially perpendicularly froma base plate for attaching each post to a surface.

In another form, the invention resides in a method of constructing afence including the steps of:

installing a plurality of posts, each said post comprising a pair ofsockets;

inserting an elongate frame member of a screen into one of the pair ofsockets of one of said posts;

inserting an opposing elongate frame member of the screen into one ofthe pair of sockets of an adjacent post; and

clamping intruder resistant mesh to the elongate frame members.

Suitably, the steps of inserting the elongate frame members of thescreen into the sockets of the posts are followed by the step ofclamping the intruder resistant mesh to the elongate frame members.

Suitably, the step of clamping the intruder resistant mesh to theelongate frame members is followed by the steps of inserting theelongate frame members of the screen into the sockets of the posts.

Preferably, the step of clamping includes integral clamping portions ofthe elongate frame members co-acting with non-integral clamping membersof the elongate frame members.

Preferably, the step of clamping includes the step of positivelylocating the non-integral clamping member of each elongate frame memberwith respect to the frame by seating a slot in the non-integral clampingmember on a terminal hook of an integral tongue of a respective elongateframe member.

The method may further include the step of selecting one of a range ofpositions to fasten walls of the elongate frame members to the posts,the range of positions being available by virtue of the relative size ofthe walls and the sockets.

The method may further include the step of attaching at least one coverto each post to obscure fastening means from view.

The method may further include the step of attaching each post to asurface using a base member having a pair of substantially verticalwalls extending from a base plate.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will bedescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fencing system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an elongate frame member of the fencingsystem shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the fencing system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base member and a post of the fencingsystem shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the base member and the post shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a gate using the fencing system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the post of the fencing system shown inFIG. 1 comprising a cover plate; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of constructing a fence inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a fencing system 10 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. The fencing system 10comprises a plurality of posts 12 and at least one screen 14 extendingbetween adjacent posts. It will be appreciated that a fence 11constructed from the fencing system of the present invention cancomprise a plurality of posts 12 and a plurality of screens 14. Eachpost comprises a pair of sockets 16. In this embodiment, the screen 12comprises intruder resistant mesh 18 clamped to a frame 20 comprisingelongate frame members 22. One of the elongate frame members 22 isreceived by one of the pair of sockets 16 of one of the posts 12 and anopposing elongate frame member 22 is received by one of the pair ofsockets 16 of an adjacent post 12.

The Applicant's Australian Patent No. 694515, which is incorporatedherein by reference, describes an intruder resistant screenincorporating a woven wire intruder resistant mesh clamped between aplurality of clamping portions and clamping members with a leveragedclamping action and a similar clamping mechanism is employed in thepresent invention.

The intruder resistant mesh 18 covering the opening enclosed by theframe 20 is a woven grid of stainless steel wire. Suitable meshdimensions have been described in Australian Patent No. 694515 and themost suitable dimensions have been found to be wire diameters from 0.8mm to 1.2 mm and wire spacing (in weft or warp) from 1 mm to 2.2 mm.

With reference to FIG. 2, according to one embodiment, elongate framemember 22 is formed from extruded aluminium and has a channel section 23for receiving a corner stake (not shown) at each of its ends. Channelsection 23 can be considered to comprise a base 25, a pair of ribbedwalls 38 extending from the base 25 and an upper surface 27 extendingbetween the pair of ribbed walls 38. Accordingly, frame 20 is formed tothe desired shape and dimensions by cutting suitable lengths of eachframe member 22 and assembling the lengths with mitred corners. Althoughframe members 22 are preferably extruded aluminium lengths, they may beextruded, roll formed or press formed lengths of any suitable material.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the elongate frame member 22 comprisesan integral clamping portion 24 extending from base 25 of channelsection 23, which co-acts with a non-integral clamping member 26 toclamp the intruder resistant mesh 18 to the frame 20. The integralclamping portion 24 and the non-integral clamping member 26 are of anidentical length and extend along the length of the elongate framemember 22.

Spaced holes are drilled along the integral clamping portions 24 and thenon-integral clamping members 26 to receive fastening means (not shown)in the form of pop-rivets or screws, which co-act with the integralclamping portions 24 and the non-integral clamping members 26 to clampthe mesh 18 to the frame 20. Hence, when clamped, an area adjacent eachrespective edge of mesh 18 is clamped to the frame 20 such that eachclamped area is in the same plane as the rest of mesh 18, which isenclosed by frame 20. As a result, each edge of mesh 18 is clamped to nomore than one clamping surface of each one of integral clamping portions24 and non-integral clamping members 26.

The elongate frame member 22 comprises an integral tongue 28 terminatingin a hook 30 to seat a slot 32 in the non-integral clamping member 26and positively locate the non-integral clamping member 26 with respectto the frame 20.

According to specific embodiments, the integral clamping portion 24and/or the non-integral clamping member 26 have a serrated surface 34,36 respectively, to provide stronger retention of the mesh 18. Theserrations on the integral clamping portion 24 and/or the non-integralclamping member 26 act together to firmly hold the mesh 18 in theelongate frame member 22. The fastening means (not shown) hold thenon-integral clamping member 26 in position against the integralclamping portion 24 with the result that the mesh can withstandsignificant impact and not be pulled from the frame.

According to one embodiment, the pair of ribbed walls 38 of opposingelongate frame members 22 abut inside surfaces 40 of the sockets 16 ofthe posts 12. Outer surfaces 42 of the posts 12 comprise v-shapedgrooves 43 along the length of the posts 12 to aid location of fasteningmeans 44 in the form of screws, pop-rivets or the like. The relativesize of the walls 38 and the sockets 16 are such that a range ofpositions for the elongate frame members 22 within the sockets 16 areavailable to fasten the elongate frame members 22 to the posts 12.

FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate that the pair of sockets 16 of at least one ofthe posts 12 in the fencing system oppose each other such that the post12 is substantially I-shaped or H-shaped in cross-section. Sockets 16can be considered to be formed from the central member 58 of the post 12and a perpendicular member 59 extending from each end of the centralmember 58. As shown in FIG. 3, in a corner post 12 of the fencingsystem, the pair of sockets 16 are substantially at 90 degrees to eachother.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each post 12 further comprises at least onecover 46 to obscure from view fastening means 44 of the fencing system.Covers 46 can be detachably attached to the posts 12 by a snap fixing asis known in the art and can have a curved surface as shown in FIGS. 1and 2 or can have any alternative surface shape and/or finish asdesired.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to one embodiment, thefencing system 10 further comprises a base member 48 having a pair ofspaced apart walls 50, 52 extending substantially perpendicularly from abase plate 54 for fastening each post 12 to a surface 56, such as a poolsurround, balcony, deck, veranda, staircase or the like. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, wall 50 extends further from the baseplate 54 than wall 52, such that a central section 58 of each post 12 isfastened to both walls 50, 52 near the base plate 54 and only to wall 50further from the base plate 54. Fastening means 60 for fastening thebase plate 54 to the surface 56 and the post 12 to the base member 48are in the form of nuts and bolts, although other fastening means suchas welding may be employed. Alternatively, posts 12 can be set into thesurface 56 and secured in place with, for example, concrete.

FIG. 1 illustrates that an upper elongate frame member of the screenforms a handrail of the fencing system, which avoids the necessity ofproviding and affixing an additional element for this purpose, thussaving time, money and materials. Caps, such as plastic caps (not shown)can be snap fitted to the top of the posts 12 for aesthetic purposes.

Although the screens 24 are shown in FIG. 1 as being substantiallyrectangular in shape, it will be appreciated that the panels can beformed in other shapes, such as a diamond shape, i.e. an out-of-squarerectangle, for staircases or the like.

Referring to FIG. 6, according to one embodiment, the screen 14 of thefencing system of the present invention is in the form of a gate 62,which is constructed in the same manner as the screen 14 as describedabove. In this embodiment, post 12 comprises a snap cover 64 having apartially curved surface 66 and a partially flat surface 68. Flatsurface 68 allows a first part 70 of a self-sprung hinge 72 to beattached thereto and to post 12 with a fastening means 74, such as ascrew or rivet. A second part 76 of the self-sprung hinge 72 is attachedto wall 38 of elongate frame member 22 with a fastening means 75, suchas a screw or rivet. An opposing elongate frame member 22 of the gate 62abuts a closer 78 attached to an adjacent post 12. Closer 78 comprises awool pile channel 80 on arm 81 and is secured within socket 16 of post12 via arms 83 with fastening means 82, such as screws or rivets or anyother suitable fastening means. Fastening means 82 can be concealed withcovers 46 as described above.

Referring to FIG. 7, where posts 12 form an end post, a cover plate 84is secured within socket 16 of post 12 via arms 86 with fastening means82, such as screws or rivets or any other suitable fastening means.Fastening means 82 can be concealed with covers 46 as described above.

A method 100 of constructing a fence 11 in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention will now be described with reference to theflowchart in FIG. 8. The method 100 includes in step 110 the step ofinstalling a plurality of posts 12, each post comprising a pair ofsockets 16. In step 120, an elongate frame member 22 of the screen 14 isinserted into one of the pair of sockets 16 of one of the posts 12.Next, the method includes inserting an opposing elongate frame member 22of the screen 14 into one of the pair of sockets 16 of an adjacent post12, as represented by step 130. In step 140, the method includesclamping intruder resistant mesh 18 to the elongate frame members 22.

According to one embodiment, the steps of inserting the elongate framemembers 22 of the screen 14 into the sockets 16 of the posts 12 arefollowed by the step of clamping the intruder resistant mesh 18 to theelongate frame members 22. It will be appreciated that, in thisembodiment, the elongate frame members 22 can be inserted into thesockets 16 of the posts 12 from the side or from the top.

In an alternative embodiment, the step of clamping the intruderresistant mesh 18 to the elongate frame members 22 is followed by thesteps of inserting the elongate frame members 22 of the screen 14 intothe sockets 16 of the posts 12. It will be appreciated that, in thisembodiment, the elongate frame members 22 will be inserted into thesockets 16 of the posts 12 from the top.

It is envisaged that the method of constructing a fence in accordancewith the present invention includes the step of installing one of theposts 12 followed by the step of clamping the intruder resistant mesh 18to the elongate frame members 22 followed by the step of inserting oneof the elongate frame members 22 of the screen 14 into one of thesockets 16 of the inserted post 12 followed by installing a further post12. In this embodiment, the step of installing the further post 12includes inserting an opposing elongate frame member 22 of the screen 14into one of the sockets 16 of the further post 12.

Although unlikely to be implemented very often in practice, theinventors envisage a further embodiment in which the fence 11 dependsfrom an upper surface. In this embodiment, the elongate frame members 22can be inserted into the sockets 16 of the posts 12 from the side orfrom the bottom.

Hence, there is flexibility for the user in using the fencing system ofthe present invention.

Hence, the system and method of the present invention thus provides asolution to the aforementioned accuracy problem of the prior art byvirtue of the relative size of the walls 38 of the elongate framemembers 22 and the sockets 16 of the posts, which are such that a rangeof positions for the elongate frame members 22 within the sockets 16 areavailable to fasten the elongate frame members 22 to the posts 12.Therefore, it does not matter if the posts 12 are not positioned exactlyvertical and/or if the screens 14 are not of exactly the correct length.The present invention still allows the screens 14 to be attached to theposts 12 without leaving any gaps. The means of clamping the intruderresistant mesh 18 to the frame 20 by the integral clamping portion 24and the non-integral clamping member 26 also provides tolerance in themanufacturing and installation process. Hence, the requirement for ahigh degree of accuracy and the associated installation time and costare avoided and a fence with an aesthetically pleasing appearance can beachieved.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the inventionwithout limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specificcollection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realizevariations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fallwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A fencing system comprising: a plurality of posts, each said postcomprising a pair of sockets; and a screen extending between adjacentposts, said screen comprising intruder resistant mesh clamped to a framecomprising elongate frame members; wherein one of the elongate framemembers is received by one of the pair of sockets of one of said postsand an opposing elongate frame member is received by one of the pair ofsockets of an adjacent post.
 2. The fencing system of claim 1, whereineach elongate frame member comprises an integral clamping portionco-acting with a non-integral clamping member to clamp the intruderresistant mesh to the frame.
 3. The fencing system of claim 2, whereineach elongate frame member comprises an integral tongue terminating in ahook to seat a slot in the non integral clamping member and positivelylocate the non-integral clamping member with respect to the frame. 4.The fencing system of claim 2, wherein one or more of the following havea serrated surface: the integral clamping portion; the non-integralclamping member.
 5. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein the elongateframe member comprises a pair of walls, the relative size of the wallsand the sockets being such that a range of positions are available tofasten the elongate frame members to the posts.
 6. The fencing system ofclaim 5, wherein the walls are ribbed.
 7. The fencing system of claim 1,wherein one of the elongate frame members of the screen forms ahandrail.
 8. The fencing system of claim 1, wherein the pair of socketsof at least one of the posts oppose each other such that the post issubstantially I-shaped or H-shaped in cross-section.
 9. The fencingsystem of claim 1, wherein the pair of sockets of at least one of theposts are substantially at 90 degrees to each other.
 10. The fencingsystem of claim 1, wherein each post further comprises at least onecover to obscure from view fastening means of the fencing system. 11.The fencing system of claim 1, further comprising a base member having apair of spaced apart walls extending substantially perpendicularly froma base plate for attaching each post to a surface.
 12. The fencingsystem of claim 1, wherein the screen is in the form of a gate.
 13. Amethod of constructing a fence including the steps of: installing aplurality of posts, each said post comprising a pair of sockets;inserting an elongate frame member of a screen into one of the pair ofsockets of one of said posts; inserting an opposing elongate framemember of the screen into one of the pair of sockets of an adjacentpost; and clamping intruder resistant mesh to the elongate framemembers.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the steps of inserting theelongate frame members of the screen into the sockets of the posts arefollowed by the step of clamping the intruder resistant mesh to theelongate frame members.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step ofclamping the intruder resistant mesh to the elongate frame members isfollowed by the steps of inserting the elongate frame members of thescreen into the sockets of the posts.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the step of clamping includes integral clamping portions of theelongate frame members coacting with non-integral clamping members ofthe elongate frame members.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the stepof clamping includes the step of positively locating the non-integralclamping member of each elongate frame member with respect to the frameby seating a slot in the non-integral clamping member on a terminal hookof an integral tongue of a respective elongate frame member.
 18. Themethod of claim 13, further including the step of selecting one of arange of positions to fasten walls of the elongate frame member's to theposts, the range of positions being available by virtue of the relativesize of the walls and the sockets.
 19. The method of claim 13, furtherincluding the step of attaching at least one cover to each post toobscure the fastening means from view.
 20. The method of claim 13,further including the step of attaching each post to a surface using abase member having a pair of substantially vertical walls extending froma base plate.
 21. (canceled)
 22. (canceled)